Vehicle drive override system

ABSTRACT

An electronic subsystem for automotive vehicles for overriding the manual control of the vehicles and substituting limited automatic control in response to onboard sensors detecting external and internal conditions that are in violation of the traffic laws or adverse to the normal manually controlled operation of the vehicle. Traffic laws and regulations are digitally detected from the vehicle by wireless acquisition, and the vehicle is automatically controlled to insure compliance. The system detects adverse environmental conditions, including degraded traction and visibility, proximity of other vehicles and objects, uncontrolled vehicle movements, including skidding and fishtailing, and others, and overrides the manual control of the vehicle to minimize the effects of such conditions. The system also provides for monitoring traffic flow along roadways and wirelessly regulating such flow.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional applicationsNo. 60/222,592, filed Aug. 2, 2000 and No. 60/245,587, filed Oct. 6,2000.

[0002] This invention generally relates to hybrid automotive controlsystems, and more particularly to such systems permitting driver manualcontrol of the vehicle but providing automatic override of certainfunctions of control of the vehicle as is necessary to comply withtraffic laws and to compensate for various external conditions ofdanger.

BACKGROUND

[0003] With over 220 million automobiles in use in the U.S., and morebeing added daily, it has become essential to provide some degree oflimited override over complete manual control of the vehicles by driversto insure compliance with the traffic laws, and to protect drivers andpassengers from various dangerous conditions, such as adverse weather,driver error and fault, adverse road conditions, and improperly drivenother vehicles. Adverse weather conditions such as ice, rain, sleet,snow, and fog require reduced driving speeds and reduced rates ofacceleration and braking of the vehicles to proceed with safety.Similarly, drivers that are reckless and overly aggressive endangerothers, as do drivers that are physically impaired, or impaired by theuse of alcohol and drugs that reduce hand-eye coordination. Uncontrolledmovements of the vehicles resulting from skidding, fishtailing, sliding.and rolling also require correction by slower speeds, and reduce ratesof acceleration and braking. Obstacles in the roads, or oncomingvehicles in the path of a vehicle going forwardly or backwardly need tobe avoided. For all of these reasons, and others, there exists a needfor partially overriding the manual control of automotive vehicles withtemporary and limited automatic controls in circumstances where suchconditions exist

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a hybridcontrol system for automotive vehicles that supplements, assists, andoverrides the manually operated driver controls where required bytraffic laws or by adverse circumstances that present a danger to thedriver and to the other vehicle occupants. The system includes aplurality of sensors that detect the traffic laws and regulations as thevehicle proceeds from location to location, as well as detecting variousmovements and conditions of the vehicle in relation to the roadway, andto other vehicles, and to the surrounding environment, to automaticallyoverride the manual controls and take over the control of the vehicle ona temporary basis, and in a limited manner as is required for safetypurposes. Among others, the sensors detect the tractive condition of theroad with respect to the vehicle, as well as the driver's vision of thesurroundings, such as at nighttime, or during periods of rain, snow,sleet, or fog. These detected conditions are employed to automaticallyreduce the maximum speed of the vehicle below the prevalent speed limit,and to reduce the ability of the vehicle to accelerate below thatnormally provided by the vehicle. This partial overriding of thedriver's normally available maximum speed limit and limitation of itsacceleration rate are provided to bring the vehicle operation intocompliance with the traffic laws, and to better compensate for theadverse conditions detected by the various sensors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram showing one preferredembodiment of the invention,

[0006]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a vehicle and illustrating the remotesensing of digital codes on or near the roadway,

[0007]FIG. 3 and FIG. 3a illustrate various directional movements ofvehicles at intersecting roads, and in FIG. 3a the sensors on thevehicle used during at such intersection,

[0008]FIG. 4 is a side view of a vehicle illustrating the operation ofother vehicle sensors, and FIG. 4a shows a block diagram of anelectrical subsystem using the sensors of FIG. 4,

[0009]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the sensors and preferredsystem responding to uncontrolled movements of the vehicle.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a plotted chart illustrating the extent of reduction ofthe maximum vehicle speed in response to the signals from the sensors.

[0011]FIG. 7 is an electrical block diagram showing a supplementaryembodiment,

[0012] and FIG. 8 schematically illustrates supplementary trafficmonitoring and control according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to the drawings. There is shown in FIG. 1, a preferredsystem for overriding the vehicle manual control by the driver andautomatically stopping a vehicle at the next road or street intersectionin response to an onboard reader in the vehicle detecting a bar coded“stop” street sign provided by the traffic control authorities. Asshown, the system includes a code reader 10 on board the vehicle forremotely reading the content of a coded sign 11 (FIG. 2) that may beembedded in the roadway or positioned alongside the roadway in the samemanner as conventional traffic control signs that are visably readableby passing drivers. Upon reading the sign 11, the reader 10 sends a stopcommand signal to the onboard system analyzer 12 that, in turn, sends anoverriding signal to control the braking subsystem 13 and the fuelcontrol subsystem 14 for the vehicle. The degree of braking and fuelcontrol required to stop the vehicle at the next intersection is afunction of the type of vehicle and its characteristics; its speed whenreceiving the braking command, and the distance to the next intersectionwhen receiving the stop command generated by analyzer 12. Where the barcoded stop signs 11 are always located at the same fixed distance fromthe next intersection, only the vehicle speed and its stoppingcharacteristics need be entered into the analyzer 12 to control thestopping of the vehicle as required. The vehicle speed signal isobtained from a transducer 17 coupled to the vehicle speedometer (notshown), and the stopping characteristics for the vehicle (eg model type,weight etc.)) are obtained from the manufacturers specifications and anadjustable signal is entered into the system at 15 when the system isfirst installed in the vehicle. Thus the analyzer 12 responds to thestop command upon the reader 10 reading the bar coded street stop sign11, and the system overrides the manual control of the vehicle driver tobrake the vehicle and reduce its fuel flow, both as needed, to bring thevehicle to a stop at the next intersection. In the event that thevehicle is not brought to a full stop at the next intersection due topoor roadway or other conditions (ie ice, sleet, snow, worn tires etc.)the continued forward movement of the vehicle is detected by a motionsensor 19 to generate an added increment of stopping command signal tothe analyzer 12 to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The motion ormovement sensor 19 also triggers the operation of a timer circuit 21upon the vehicle becoming fully stopped, and after a predetermined shortinterval, the timer circuit 21 resets the components of FIG. 1 to theirinitial condition in preparation for receiving a subsequent command fromthe code reader 10.

[0014] Thus the subsystem receives commands from coded road signs 11 tostop, and in response to such commands overrides the manual control ofthe vehicle to apply sufficient braking and reduce fuel to the engine asis necessary to bring the vehicle to a stop at the next intersection,taking into account the type of vehicle, its braking characteristics,and its speed when receiving the stop command signal. Additionally,where the vehicle fails to fully stop, due to poor brakes, worn tires,slippery roads, etc., the subsystem responds by applying further brakingand fuel control as needed. A timer 21 thereafter permits the overridingsubsystem to discontinue operation after a short time interval,permitting the driver to regain manual drive control of the vehicle. Asshown, the timer 21 is energized by a vehicle movement sensor 19 tofunction after a complete stopping of the vehicle, and then to reset thesubsystem to regain manual control of the vehicle. According to theinvention, the driver may manually apply additional braking to thevehicle even during the override period, since it may be necessary tostop the vehicle before reaching the intersection for other reasons.

[0015] Speed Limit Control

[0016] According to the invention, the subsystem also automaticallyoverrides complete manual control of the vehicle to the limited extentnecessary to prevent speeding of the vehicle beyond the speed limitestablished by the traffic laws. Referring again to FIG. 1, theprevailing speed limit for each section of the street or road isidentified in bar coded form on the street or road sign 11 for thatsection of the road. This code is read by the onboard reader 10, as thevehicle passes that road sign 11 and a speed limit signal correspondingto the code on the sign 11 is also directed to the analyzer 12. Theexisting speed of the vehicle is available from the conventionalspeedometer and a signal from the speedometer is transduced at 17 anddirected to the analyzer 12 for comparison with the speed limit signalfrom the code reader 10. Where the existing speed of the vehicle exceedsthe posted speed limit, the analyzer 12 energizes the the brake control13 and the fuel control 14 to override the manual control of the vehicleand automatically reduce its speed to the posted speed limit. However,since it is occasionally necessary for the vehicle to temporarily exceedthe speed limit to avoid an obstacle in the road, or to pass anothervehicle, or for other necessary reason, the coded road sign 11 mayrecord a speed limit that is 5 mph greater than the actual speed limit(for cities and developed areas) and that is 10 mph greater than thespeed limit outside of such city areas. Thus according to the invention,the speed limit for each section of the road is identified by a codedroad sign 11, and this information is read by a remote code reader 10 onboard the vehicle as the vehicle passes each such sign 11. The actualspeed of the vehicle is sensed at 17 and compared with the posted speedlimit, and if the vehicle speed is found to exceed the speed limit, thesubsystem overrides the manual control of the vehicle to automaticallyreduce its maximum speed to conform with the posted speed limit Afterthe vehicle maximum speed has been reduced and regulated to thatrequired by the traffic law, the override of the vehicle braking andfuel control is discontinued and driver controlled manual operation ofthe vehicle is restored.

[0017] Intersection Control

[0018] At present over 64 million automobile crashes occur yearly in theU.S., and 90% of such crashes result from driver error, eitherintentionally or unintentionally. Half of such crashes occur atnighttime, and many of the remaining crashes occur when driver vision ofthe road and objects on the road are obscured.

[0019] According to the present invention, there is provided onboardsensors for detecting the proximity of other vehicles and objectslocated near a vehicle and, in response thereto, overriding the manualcontrol of the vehicle to a limited extent to inhibit, or reduce thepossibility of collision between the vehicle and such other vehicles orobjects that have been detected.

[0020] Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 3, anintersection of two roads or streets, with vehicles 30, 31, 32, and 33proceeding along paths on each street and providing the possibility ofcollisions between various ones of such vehicles. As shown, the vehicle30 proceeding along path 34 through the intersection may cross the pathof travel of either vehicle 31 or 32 proceeding through the intersectionin a direction transverse to that of vehicle 30. Similarly if vehicle 30makes a left turn at the intersection it also crosses the path of thevehicles 31 and 32, as well as cutting in front of oncoming vehicle 33.On the other hand, if vehicle 30 makes a right hand turn at theintersection, it intrudes ahead of oncoming vehicle 31, as shown.Accordingly whenever a vehicle enters into an intersection of two roads,it risks a collision with other vehicles entering the intersection onthe same road toward that vehicle, or entering the intersection fromroads transverse to the road of that vehicle.

[0021] According to the invention, the possibility of such collisions isminimized by providing onboard proximity detectors that sense othervehicles and objects at the sides, front, and rear of the vehicle 30,that function in the system to prevent or limit movement of the vehicleinto a roadway intersection in the path of such other vehicles, untilthe danger of collision is diminished. Referring to FIG. 3a, vehicle 30is provided with three directionally oriented proximity detectors 44,45, and 46. located at the rear of the vehicle and three directionallyoriented proximity detectors 41, 42, and 43 located at the front end ofvehicle 30.The front detector 43 and the rear detector 44 sense theproximity and approach of vehicles to the left; the front detector 41and rear detector 46 sense the nearby presence or approach of vehiclesto the right; and the front and back detectors 42 and 45, respectively,sense the presence of vehicles ahead or behind the vehicle 30. Thus thiscombination of directionally sensitive detectors 41 to 46, inclusive,sense the presence or approach of other vehicles into the streetintersection in any direction toward the vehicle 30. As shown in FIG. 1,the signals from left hand detectors 43 and 44 are generated bytransducer 38 to the analyzer 12; those from right side detectors 41 and46 are generated by transducer 37 to the analyzer 12; and those fromforward and rear detectors 42 and 45, are generated by transducers 36and 39, respectively, to the analyzer 12. Thus as the vehicle 30 entersa road intersection various of the directionally oriented detectorssense the presence or approach of other nearby vehicles and, in responseto such detection, control the vehicle's brakes and fuel control toprevent the vehicle from proceeding into the intersection in a directionthat might conflict with the approach of such other vehicle(s).

[0022] In brief, the system prevents or minimizes intersection crashesbetween vehicles by employing proximity detectors to sense the presenceor approach of such other vehicles, and in response, inhibiting themovement of the vehicle in the paths of such other vehicles or objects.As noted above, half of all car collisions in the U.S. occur at streetand road intersections, with a greater percentage of such crashesoccurring at nighttime or when the vision of the drivers is diminishedor reduced by adverse weather or other condition.

[0023] Road Traction—Speed Control

[0024] Where the traction provided by a vehicle's tires on the road isdiminished due to adverse weather or other condition, there is a needfor reducing the vehicle's speed and rate of acceleration for safety ofthe vehicle, such as to prevent skidding at curves and to permitstopping of the vehicle within required distances should that becomenecessary. Many drivers continue to drive at the same speeds andaccelerate despite the fact that the road may provide reduced tractiondue to rain, snow, sleet, and ice. As a result, their vehicles skid inan uncontrolled manner when the road curves or when the brakes areapplied to slow down or stop the vehicle. Similarly where the roadsurface has an oil slick, moisture or ice, or contains patches of sandor gravel deposits, or is broken in sections, or contains potholes; lossof tire traction can also result creating uncontrolled dangerousskidding, fishtailing, or other undesired movements of the vehicleresulting in full or partial loss of control. of the vehicle. Accordingto the present invention, there is provided one or more sensors fordetecting the surface condition of the road ahead of the vehicle todetermine if the tire-road traction is reduced. If such condition isfound to exist, then the system override the manual control of thevehicle to the extent of reduceing its maximum speed and its rate ofacceleration to a level that is safer for driving under the detectedconditions.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 4, an automotive vehicle 30 is illustratedthat is provided with a wireless sensor 42 for detecting the surface ofthe road ahead of the vehicle 30. The sensor 42 may pivot to scan theroad from side to side, or a transverse array of fixed sensors (notshown) may be used to provide the same function. Where an active sensor42 is used it may be located underneath the vehicle to project aninfrared beam to the pavement and receive a reflected beam whoseintensity corresponds to the reflectivety, or degree of smoothness, ofthe road surface. As shown in FIG. 4a, a transduced signal from thissensor 42 is generated at 42 a and compared to a reference signalgenerated by a code reader 44 that scans a digitally coded sign 11 inthe roadway. Since the reflectivety of the roads vary depending upon theroad material, (such asphalt composition, cement, or other material),the reference signal from reader 44 is necessary for comparison todetermine whether the surface condition of the road is degraded overnormal “dry” conditions, and the extent of the degredation in traction.For example, a wet pavement that is coated with rain, snow, sleet, orice, or that is covered with patches of oil slick, gravel, or othermaterial, provides a reflectivety to a radiant beam of infrared, orother light.

[0026] According to the invention, the maximum speed and rate ofacceleration of the vehicle are also proportionally regulated accordingto the existing vehicle speed, and according to the speed limitpermitted by traffic regulations on that section of the road. A signalrelating to the existing speed is entered into the analyzer 46 by speedssensor 17, and the speed limit requirement is obtained by onboard sensor43 reading this information from the coded road sign 11. Still further,the override mechanism is also modified according to the manufacturersspecifications for the vehicle, and a signal for this parameter isproduced by adjustable generator 45, that is adjusted at the time ofinstallation of the subsystem in the vehicle.

[0027] Briefly recapitulating the operation and functioning of thissubsystem, upon detecting a condition of reduced traction in the roadwaythat might present a danger under the normal manually controlledoperation of the vehicle, the subsystem responds to a number of variabledetected conditions including the vehicles speed, the prevalent speedlimit, the type and characteristics of the vehicle, and the degree ofreduction of the traction of the vehicle with the roadway over “normal”conditions. All of these detected conditions are entered into theanalyzer 46, and the vehicle drive controls are overridden by theseentered parameters to proportionally limit the maximum speed of thevehicle and its rate of acceleration. Where the reduced traction of thevehicle is detected on a high speed highway, and the vehicle istraveling at a high speed,-the reduction in maximum speed andacceleration rate is made greater by the override controls than when thevehicle is proceeding at a reduced speed and in a limited speed zone,such as a city street. The vehicle road sensor 42 a (FIG. 4a) may beprovided in the form of a scanner (not shown) to scan sections of theroad to the right and left ahead of the vehicle 30 as well as scanningdifferent distances ahead of the vehicle. This enables the subsystem todetermine whether the reduced traction occurs only, in discontinuouspatches (eg oil slicks) along the road or whether the slippery conditionis extended in a continual or continuous manner (eg by rain, sleet, orice formations).

[0028] As discussed, the degree of override regulation is alsocontrolled according to the type of vehicle set forth in manufacturer'sspecifications, since four wheel drive vehicles, front wheel drive,sport suspension equipped vehicles, and other types, all have differenthandling and response characteristics that vary from other vehicles inresponse to changes in traction of the road. The tractioncharacteristics of the road also vary considerably depending upon theroad materials and its age and integrity, This information is providedby the coded road signs 11 that are read by a sensor 44 on the passingvehicles, and this signal is applied as a reference signal to theanalyzer 46 as shown in FIG. 4a.

[0029] Briefly recapitulating the above, the surface condition of theroad is scanned by an onboard sensor 42 a of passing vehicles, and acorresponding signal is applied to analyzer 46. This roadway signal from42 a is compared with a road reference signal from bar code reader 44obtained from reading a road sign 11, to determine any changes in theroad surface that are present due to weather or other adverseconditions. The existing speed of the vehicle is also added fromgenerator 17 to modify the degree of override control of the vehicle, asis the model and type of vehicle added by generator signal 45. All ofthese signals are applied to analyzer 46 that determines a loss oftraction condition of the vehicle, as adjusted by the other parameters,to proportionally regulates the maximum speed of the vehicle and itsrate of acceleration to compensate for the detected reduced traction ofthe vehicle.

[0030] Driver Vision

[0031] Many more car crashes and accidents occur during the night hoursand when the vision of drivers is diminished or obscured by fog, rain,snow, sleet, or air pollution; all of which limit the vision of thedrivers. According to the invention, driver visibility through thesurrounding air is detected by sensor(s) onboard of the vehicle, andupon detection of a sufficiently degraded condition, the manuallyoperated control of the vehicle is partially overridden to the extent oflimiting the maximum speed of the vehicle and its rate of accelerationto compensate for this impaired vision condition.

[0032] Referring again to FIG. 4a, the vehicle 30 is provided with awireless vision sensor 49 that scans a received infrared beam whoseintensity is representative of the degree of visibility ahead of thevehicle 30. This sensor signal from 49 is directed to the analyzer 46that compares this signal with a visability reference signal fromgenerator 50 that is also applied to analyzer 46. The reference visionsignal from 50 is obtained for each different location of the vehicle byremotely reading the content of a coded road sign 111 at each suchdifferent location. The reference signals are representative of thevisability at such different locations during normal daylight hours andin the absence of fog, rain, snow, sleet, or air pollution. The analyzer46 responds to the difference between such signals from 49 and 50 todetect the degree of impaired vision over ambient conditions tothereupon override the manually controlled operation of the vehicle tothe extent of proportionally reducing its maximum speed and its rate ofacceleration and provide compensation for the impaired vision condition.As noted above, the extent of reduction in maximum speed and rate ofacceleration is regulated in proportion to the extent of impairedvisability ahead of the vehicle 30. Additionally, since the analyzer 46is also energized by the traction signals from sensor 42 a, referencesensor 44, speed sensor 17, and speed limit sensor 43, the overridecontrols may be further regulated to take into account the reducedtraction of the road, the vehicle speed, and other conditions discussedabove. Thus, for example, where the driver's vision is reducedconcurrently with reduced traction with the road, (such as during an icestorm or heavy snow storm) the maximum speed of the vehicle and its rateof acceleration are further proportionally reduced to compensate forthese multiple adverse conditions

[0033] Briefly recapitulating the structure and operation of thecontrols shown in FIG. 4a, sensors 42 a and 49,onboard of the vehicle,detect the surface condition of the road ahead of the vehicle and detectthe visability of the atmosphere ahead of the vehicle, respectively.Each of these detected conditions is compared with a reference conditionsetting forth “good traction” of the road and “good vision” through theatmosphere. (eg reference generators 44 and 50). These referenceconditions are identified for each different roadway location by one ormore coded road signs 11, and their content is detected by the wirelessonboard readers 44 and 50. Where either, or both, the traction conditionof the road and/or the atmospheric vision is sufficiently reduced, themanual control of the vehicle is overridden to the extent ofproportionally reducing the vehicle maximum speed and its rate ofacceleration to compensate for the detected adverse conditions. Theoverriding control also takes into account the type and model of thevehicle, its existing speed of the vehicle, and the posted speed limitfor that section of the road.

[0034] Skidding-Fishtailing-Tilt-Rollover

[0035] Reduction or loss of road traction can result in any of theseuncontrolled movements. Skidding, for example can result from loss oftraction, excess speed around curves in the road, braking on a brokenhighway, accelerating on a slippery road, or for a number of othervehicle movements under adverse conditions. Fishtailing of the vehicleas well as tilt or rollover often results from too sharp a turn, orabruptly braking the vehicle for sudden stops. Any of such uncontrolledmovements can result in car crashes or collisions with other vehicles orobjects, thereby endangering and injuring the vehicle occupants anddestroying properties. According to the present invention, theseuncontrolled movements are detected by onboard sensors in the vehicle,and the manual operation of the vehicle in response to such detectedconditions is automatically overridden in a limited manner to reduce themaximum speed of the vehicle and reduce its rate of acceleration, boththereby lessening the conditions that can result in such uncontrolledmovements of the vehicle.

[0036]FIG. 5 illustrates one preferred subsystem for detecting suchuncontrolled movements, and automatically reducing the vehicle maximumspeed and rate of acceleration to restore vehicle traction with the roadand minimize oncontrolled movements of the vehicle. As shown, thevehicle is provided with directionally oriented accelerometers 55,56,57,58, and 69, each sensing accelerational movements of the vehicle in adifferent direction., as shown by the arrowed lines in the drawing aboveeach accelerometer. Whenever skidding of the vehicle occurs in anydirection, one or more of these accelerometers 55 to 58 detects thisuncontrolled movement to energize the skid responsive circuit 59, which,in turn, energizes the subsystem analyzer 63. Fishtailing of the vehicleresults in oscillation of the various ones of the accelerometers 55 to58, to energize the fishtail responsive circuit 60, that, in turn,energizes the subsystem analyzer circuit 63. These oscillatory fishtailsignals are blocked from the skid circuit by one way diodes from theaccelerometers 55 to 58 in the lines leading to the skid circuit 59, asshown., to distinguish the detected fishtailing movements from theskidding movements of the vehicle. subsided for a fixed period of time,the analyzer 63 is reset by the resetting circuit 70, in response totimer 71, to enable complete manual control of the vehicle to berestored.

[0037] Briefly recapitulating the operation of the subsystem asdescribed above, various uncontrolled movements of the vehicle aredetected by onboard sensors indicating a reduction or loss of roadtraction and/or stability, and the subsystem responds to such detectedmovements by reducing the maximum speed of the vehicle and its rate ofacceleration to enable safer operation to be restored. The reduction inspeed and acceleration takes into account the various characteristics ofthe vehicle and its changes with aging and use; the maximum speed limitimposed by the traffic laws; and the existing speed of the vehicle whensuch uncontrolled movements are detected When the uncontrolled movementsare detected to subside for a period of time, the subsystem is reset torestore complete manual control of the vehicle except when not incompliance with the traffic laws and regulations as discussed above.

[0038] Audible Reminder

[0039] Many careful drivers are occasionally inattentive to trafficconditions, or are variously impaired due to poor vision, impairedreflexes, or for other reason. To assist such drivers, and others, thepresent invention provides an onboard reminder subsystem that respondsto the various conditions detected by the vehicle sensors, discussedabove, to alert and remind the vehicle drivers of the detectedconditions needing attention. This subsystem may be provided as asupplement to the automatic vehicle override subsystems discussed above,or as a separate subsystem for this purpose.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 7, the plurality of sensors discussed above,and shown in FIGS. 1, 4a, and and 5 are collectively illustrated asincluded within the block 85 in the block diagram shown. Each of thesignals from the various sensors 85 are separately directed in a cableto a message control code circuit 63 that generates a different addresscode in response to receiving a signal from each different sensor. Thedifferent address codes are, in turn, directed over one or more of thethe lines 88,89 etc. to a message memory 86, and each different addresscode is applied to download a different message that has been prestoredin the message memory 86. Thus, for example, when the sensors (10 and17—FIG. 1) detect that the vehicle has violated the speed limit, theaddress code generated by the message control codecircuit 63 downloadsthe message memory 86 to generate a prerecorded message notifying thedriver of such violation. The prerecorded messages downloaded from themessage memory 86 are, in turn, directed to a visual display 91 withinthe vehicle and also to an audible announcer 87 within the vehicle.,thereby to both visually and audibly alert the vehicle occupants of thespeeding violation that has been detected. Similarly, in the event thatthe vehicle passes a street stop sign and fails to stop at such sign,this is detected by sensors 10 and 19 (FIG. 1) and a different addresscode is directed over line 89 from the message control code circuit 63to download a different prerecorded message from memory 86, therebyreminding the driver and occupants of the vehicle of this differentviolation of the traffic laws. Since this alerting and reminder systemmay not be necessary to those drivers that are always careful, anonboard switch 90 may be provided to disconnect one or both of theaudible announcer 87 or the visual display 91.

[0041] Briefly recapitulating the functioning and operations of thealerting and reminder subsystem described above, the signals from thevarious onboard sensors on the vehicle, that detect the variousconditions applicable to that vehicle, are directed to a message controlcode circuit 63 that generates a different memory address code inresponse to energization by each one or ones of the different sensors.The generated memory addresses are applied to a message memory 86containing a number of prestored messages each related to a differentcondition detected by a different one or ones of the sensors. Eachreceived memory address code downloads the memory 86 to generate thecorresponding message, and such message is directed to one or both of anaudible announcer 87 and a visual display 91 within the vehicle to alertand remind the driver and other occupants of the detected condition orconditions.

[0042] Remote Traffic Control

[0043] An excess of traffic flow at rush hours, or at other timesresults in delays, stop and go movements of vehicles, and grid-lock.Impatient drivers and reckless drivers exacerbate the delays byfrequently accelerating, and changing lanes to go around other vehicles,often resulting in car crashes and accidents that further immobilize theflow of traffic in one or more lanes. According to the invention thereis provided a subsystem for enabling the traffic control authorities todetect areas or pockets of congestion on the highways, caused by heavytraffic and related conditions, and in response, remotely control thevehicles traveling in such congested areas to slow down and reduce theirrate of acceleration, thereby to relieve or minimize traffic congestionand slowdown.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 8, each automotive vehicle 95 proceeding alonga highway 93 is provided with a wireless transmitter-receiver unit 96that continually generates a low power wireless beacon signal 97,emitted omnidirectionally from each of the vehicles 95. The beaconsignals 97 from the vehicles 95 are received along each section of thehighway by a computerized substation 98 maintained at spaced artintervals by the local traffic authorities. These received beaconsignals 97 are analyzed by the substation computers 99 to determine thetraffic flow and rate of flow of the vehicles 95 and detect any stoppageof automotive traffic along that section of the highway. Where thetraffic is found to be overly congested, slowed down, or stopped, thesubstation 98 transmits a wireless command signal from itstransmitter-receivers 100 to all of the vehicles 95 traveling along thatcongested section of the highway 93. This command signal from 100 isreceived by the vehicles onboard electronic control subsystem, asdiscussed above, and the vehicle subsystems override the manual controlof the vehicles 95 to the extent of reducing the maximum speed of allthe vehicles in the affected areas and their rate of acceleration,thereby inhibiting such vehicles from rapid accelerations, high speedtravel, and abrupt lane changes, and assisting in an orderly andregulated flow of traffic. As a result, the vehicles 95 are required tocomply with more reasonable driving practices at times of high vehicledensity and congestion along the highways, thereby promoting a moreregularized, free flow of traffic under such conditions.

[0045] The continually generated beacon signals 97 generated by thevehicles 95 may be differently modulated for each different vehicle 95to enable individual vehicles to be tracked by the different trafficcontrol substations 98 as such detected vehicles travel along thehighway 93. For example, each vehicle beacon signal 97 may be digitallymodulated according to that vehicle's license number, thereby enablingthe identification of improperly driven vehicles and the tracking ofsuch vehicles by the authities to insure compliance with the trafficlaws. However, for the purpose of only monitoring and controlling acontinuing traffic flow of vehicles, as described above, the differentmodulation of the signals from the different vehicles is not necessary.

[0046] Automotive vehicles can be tracked (by location, speed, anddirection of travel) by triangulating on the radio emissions generatedby portable cell phones in use by occupants within such vehicles. Thistracking can be used to assist drivers and other occupants that areinvolved in troubled circumstances, and that dial a universal 911 phonenumber for help. According to the present invention, the wirelesstransmissions from such cell phones can also be detected and used tomonitor the flow of traffic as discussed above, enabling the trafficcontrol substations 98 to monitor traffic flow along highways, and/oroverride the manual control of the vehicles to the extent of limitingtheir maximum speed and rate of acceleration to reduce congestion andstoppages.

[0047] Acceleration Override Subsystem

[0048] As discussed above, the manual control of the vehicle isoverridden upon detection of various adverse conditions to reduce theacceleration and deceleration of the vehicle to compensate for suchconditions.

[0049]FIG. 9 illustrates one preferred embodiment for performing suchoverriding control of the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.As shown, the vehicle engine 112 receives fuel over fuel ine 110 throughan adjustable regulating fuel control valve 111 that is actuated inresponse to the driver's operation of the throttle control or pedal onthe vehicle. As the throttle is increased to accelerate the vehicle, thefuel valve 111 normally passes more fuel to the engine to promptlycomply with this command. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the throttlegenerated signal is divided into two components; the first directed toan averaging circuit 114, and the second to a differentiating circuit119. The first component is directed to the fuel control valve 111 tomaintain the vehicle speed at its preexisting speed (eg average), afterpassing through a sum circuit 115. The second component, representingthe change in speed or acceleration requested by the driver of thevehicle, also is directed to the fuel control valve 11 after firstpassing through an adjustable time delay circuit 117 and an amplitudedivider circuit 118. Where the onboard sensors on the vehicle do notdetect any violation of the traffic laws or any adverse condition, theanalyzer 116 does not cause any time delay to be imposed by time delaycircuit 117 nor any amplitude changes to be imposed by amplitude dividercircuit 118. Accordingly the acceleration component is directed withoutchange to the sum circuit 115 where it is added to the preexisting speedsignal, thereby to compel the vehicle to accelerate to the extentrequired. However, in the event that the onboard sensors detect acondition requiring override of the vehicle's manual controls, the timedelay circuit 117 is proportionally modified by the analyzer 116 to timedelay the second component, and the amplitude divider circuit 118 isalso proportionally adjusted by the analyzer circuit 116 to modify theamplitude of the second component of the throttle signal. Accordingly,the second component of the throttle signal is variably time delayed andalso reduced in amplitude to reduce the rate of acceleration of thevehicle and also time delay the application of the manual throttlecommands from the vehicle driver. These changes occur during bothaccleration and decceleration of the vehicle to override the manuallydirected control and automatically impose limitations on the vehicleperformance to overcome the detected adverse conditions.

[0050] Proximity Signaling

[0051] As discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1, various of theonboard sensors detect the proximity of other vehicles and objects andcontrol the vehicle to prevent traffic crashes and collisions. Accordingto the invention the detected proximity of such objects may also besignaled to the driver of the vehicle, to alert and warn the driver ofsuch danger(s).Referring to FIG. 1, the various sensors 41 to 46,inclusive, detect the presence of vehicles and objects, and signals aregenerated by the sensors at 36 to 36 to 39, inclusive, (FIG. 1) toenergize the analyzer 12. The signals may also be individually directedto a display indicator 39 a onboard of the vehicle and convenient to thevision of the driver. These signals may also be directed to operate anaudible signaling device, such as an onboard beeper, thereby to repeat abeeping signal to warn the driver. After hearing the beeping sounds thedriver may then observe the onboard display screen 39 a to determine thelocation of the detected vehicle or object with respect to his vehicle.

[0052] Reckless Driving

[0053] Reckless driving involves driving a vehicle in a manner thatdisregards the safety of others as well as the safety of the driverinvolved. Reckless drivers abruptly accelerate and decelerate withoutwarning or signaling others, they tailgate other vehicles, often changelanes without warning, cut off other drivers at intersections and whenchanging lanes, and otherwise operate their vehicles in a manner that isdangerous to others. According to the present invention, such recklessdriving is detected and monitored by onboard sensors described above, tooverride the manual operation of the vehicle to the extent of reducingits acceleration response to the operation of the manually controlledthrottle of the vehicle, thereby changing the performance of the vehicleto inhibiting the continuation of driving in a reckless a manner.

[0054] Referring again to FIG. 9, the onboard sensors 122, 123, 124, and125 etc detect the various movements of the vehicle including itsacceleration, tailgating (proximity), lane changing, and othermovements. In response to any of the detected movements, the detectingsensor energizes an OR circuit 128 to trigger a fixed timer 129 intooperation. The operated timer 129, in turn, energizes each of the ANDcircuits 130, 131, 133, and 134 for the fixed period of time followingeach timer operation. During each period of operation of the timer 129,the signal(s) generated by any one or more of the onboard sensors 122 to125 is passed through its related AND circuit to an accumulating counter136 to be added to any other signals received from any of the onboardsensors during that measured fixed time period of the timer 129. In theevent that the counter 136 accumulates a preestablished number of suchsignals from the various sensors, indicating an excessive number ofconsecutive movements of the vehicle (eg an excessive number of lanechanges, accelerations, etc. within the timed period), the subsystemrecognizes that the vehicle is being driven recklessly, and a controlsignal is generated over line 121 to the subsystem analyzer 119. Thusthe counter 136 sums the number of various vehicle movements that occurduring each fixed time period of the timer 129, and upon determiningthat the number is excessive and indicative of reckless driving, acontrol signal is direct over line 121 to the analyzer 119 to overridethe manual control of the vehicle and changes its acceleration responseto the manual operation of the throttle pedal 113.

[0055] As discussed above, the analyzer 116 variably regulates(increases) the time delay provided by circuit 117 and also variablyreduces the amplitude of the signal component passed by amplitudelimiter circuit 118. Thus any subsequent change in the throttle 113 toaccelerate the vehicle is both time delayed and reduced in amplitude,rendering the vehicle operation more slow in response to manualcommands, and also reducing the acceleration of the vehicle for anyincreased throttle.

[0056] After each fixed time period of operation of the timer 129, thesubsystem is reset to permit the “normal” manually controlled operationof the vehicle to resume. However, upon detecting any subsequentlydetected movement of the vehicle, the timer 129 is restarted to assistin monitoring the future operation of the vehicle during this next timeperiod. Thus the vehicle is continually monitored from period to periodto determine if it is being operated recklessly. Whenever recklessdriving is detected to occur, the manually controlled operation of thevehicle is overridden to inhibit continuation of such reckless drivingof the vehicle.

[0057] Variations

[0058] Many changes may be made by those skilled in the fields ofelectronic controls for vehicles without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Many different kinds and types of onboard sensors arepresently available for detecting various movements of vehicles, as wellas conditions of the surrounding environment, including the tractionprovided by the roadways. These available sensors include both activeand passive types, and operate in different frequency ranges includingthe infra-red bands and visible laser beams. The electronic subsystemsdisclosed may employ hardware, software, and combinations thereof as ispresently customary in many control systems in use today for variousother functions. The described subsystems may be modified to useadditional sensors to detect other conditions affecting the vehicles, orin a modified subsystem, use fewer sensors. For example, wind speed,external temperature, flooding and other conditions affecting thevehicles and their operations may be sensed and monitored. Since theseand other changes may be made without departing from the scope of thisinvention, this invention should be considered as being limited only bythe following claims.

1. A vehicle modifying subsystem for a driver operated automotivevehicle enabling the driver to normally control theacceleration-deceleration of the vehicle but imposing limited reductionsin the extent of acceleration-deceleration in response to detectedadverse conditions affecting the safety of the vehicle and itsoccupants, said adverse conditions including one of restrictive trafficregulations, adverse external environment, and uncontrolled movements ofthe vehicle, said subsystem comprising: sensor means onboard of thevehicle for detecting said adverse condition, performance modifyingmeans adapted to be coupled to the vehicle for controlling itsacceleration-deceleration, said performance modifying means energized bysaid sensor means to reduce the acceleration-deceleration of the vehicleresponsively to said detected adverse condition, whereby the drivercontrolled performance of the vehicle is diminished to compensate forthe detected adverse condition.
 2. In the subsystem of claim 1, saidperformance modifying means including a time delay and a magnitudereducer, thereby to time delay and reduce the extent ofacceleration-deceleration of the vehicle responsive to driver controlledoperation.
 3. A hybrid control system for an automotive vehicle thatpermits manual control of the automotive vehicle unless traffic lawshave been violated and driving hazards exist, including adverse weatherconditions, and in response thereto overriding the manual control andsubstituting limited automatic control of the vehicle, comprising: anonboard system for the automotive vehicle having a controller and aplurality of sensor means coupled to the controller for detectingvarious driving conditions affecting operation of the automotivevehicle, said plural sensor means including a sensor for continuallydetecting traffic laws and regulations as the vehicle proceeds fromlocation to location, a weather sensor means for detecting adverseweather conditions affecting the safe driving of the vehicle, aproximity sensor means for detecting the nearby presence of othervehicles and objects that may present a hazard to the vehicle, and amovement sensor means for detecting uncontrolled movement of thevehicle, including skidding of the vehicle, said controller respondingto said plurality of sensors to override the manual control of theautomotive vehicle and substitute limited automatic control of thevehicle movement, speed, and rate of acceleration thereby to comply withthe traffic laws and regulations and to compensate for the detectedconditions that adversely affect the driving of the vehicle.
 4. In thehybrid system of claim 3, said sensor means detecting the traffic lawsand regulations including detecting the posted speed limit for differentlocations, and said controller overriding the manual control of thevehicle to limit its maximum speed to the posted limits 5 In the hybridsystem of claim 3, said sensor means detecting the proximity of othervehicles and objects, and said controller overriding the manual controlof the vehicle to limit vehicle movements toward such other vehicles andobjects.
 6. In the hybrid system of claim 3, said sensor means detectingadverse weather conditions, and detecting reduced wheel traction withthe roads, and detecting reduced optical vision in advance of thevehicle; and said controller overriding the manual control of thevehicle to limit the vehicle maximum speed and rate of acceleration. 7.In the hybrid system of claim 3, said sensor means detectinguncontrolled movements of the vehicle, including skidding, and saidcontroller overriding the manual control of the vehicle to limit itsmaximum speed and rate of acceleration.
 8. In the hybrid system of claim3,said weather sensor including means for detecting reduced wheeltraction of the vehicle with the road.
 9. In the hybrid system of claim3, said sensor means for detecting weather conditions including meansfor detecting impaired visibility in front of the vehicle.
 10. A hybridsystem for automotive vehicles for overriding driver control of avehicle to comply with traffic laws, and to compensate for roadway andtraffic conditions that are hazardous to the vehicle comprising: anonboard controller for overriding the driver controlled speed of thevehicle and its acceleration, and a plurality of sensors energizing theonboard controller, said sensors comprising, a wireless traffic lawsensor continually detecting traffic laws and regulations as the vehicleproceeds, a vehicle movement sensor monitoring the movements of thevehicle, a roadway and weather sensor for detecting degraded roadwayconditions and reduced optical visibility ahead of the vehicle, anuncontrolled movement sensor for detecting skidding of the vehicle andother uncontrolled movements, and a proximity sensor for detecting othervehicles and objects near the automotive vehicle, said controllerresponding to said sensors to override the manual control of the vehicleand regulate its maximum speed and acceleration, to comply with thetraffic laws and regulations, to compensate for degraded roadway andreduced visibility conditions, and to compensate for uncontrolledvehicle movements
 11. In the system of claim 10, said controllerincluding a time delay means to delay subsequent acceleration-speed ofthe vehicle that may be initiated by the driver.
 12. In the system ofclaim 10, said controller including a fuel flow modifier to reduce thequantity of fuel to the vehicle initiated by subsequent driver's manualcontrol.
 13. An automatic control system for a manually controlledautomotive vehicle for overriding the manual control of the vehicle upondetecting that the vehicle is being driven in a reckless manner, acontroller that is connectable to the vehicle for overriding manualcontrol of the vehicle, sensor means for detecting repetitive changes inoperation of the vehicle that are indicative of reckless driving,including one of repetitive changes in acceleration during a short timeperiods; and approaches too closely to other vehicles, timing meansoperating for a preset time interval, analyzer means responsive to saidsensor means and timing means for determining the number of saidrepetitive changes occurring within said preset time period andgenerating an output signal, said controller being energized by saidoutput signal to override manual control of the vehicle andautomatically change its performance.
 14. In the subsystem of claim 13,said controller including a time delay energized by said output signalto adjustably time delay the acceleration-deceleration response of theautomotivevehicle to actuation by the driver.
 15. In the system of claim13, said controller including a reduction means energized by said outputsignal to adjustably reduce the extent of acceleration-decelarationresponse of the vehicle to actuation by the driver.
 16. In the system ofclaim 13, said controller including a time delay means and a magnitudemodifier means, both energized by the output signal, to both time delayand change the extent of acceleration-deceleration response of thevehicle to actuation by the driver. 17 In the system of claim 13, saidsensor means including a proximity detecting sensor for detecting anearby presence of other vehicles or object and generating a proximitysignal, and said controller energized by said proximity signal toinhibit the vehicle from the nearby presence of other vehicle or object.18, An override subsystem for automatically overriding the performanceof a driver controlled automotive vehicle, said override subsystem beingresponsive to detected adverse conditions affecting the safety of thevehicle and its occupants, said subsystem comprising a plurality ofonboard sensors for detecting external and internal conditions affectingthe vehicle including adverse external weather conditions; includingimpaired optical visibility and reduced traction; including excessivevehicle speed over the speed limit; uncontrolled movements of thevehicle; including skidding; traffic requirements to stop; andincludingproximity ofother vehicles, a controller adapted to beconnected to the automotive vehicle, said controller being energized bysaid sensors to override the driver control of the automotive vehicle toa limited extent necessary to compensate for said detected adverseconditions. 19, A performance modifying subsystem for an automotivevehicle that is normally under the control of a driver, sensor meansonboard the vehicle for detecting a restrictive condition affecting theautomotive vehicle including adverse weather, to generate an errorsignal, a controller connectable to the vehicle to automaticallyregulate its acceleration performance, said controller energized by saiderror signal to partially override control of the vehicle by the dricerand reduce its acceleration according to the error signal, whereby uponthe system detecting said restrictive condition, the accelerationperformance of the vehicle is subsequently automatically reduced tomodify the effect of said restrictive condition.
 20. In the performancemodifying system of claim 19, the addition of means for modifying theerror signal according to the manufacturer's established performancecharacteristics for the automotive vehicle and additionally according tothe current speed of the automotive vehicle when detecting therestrictive condition.
 21. In the performance modifying subsystem ofclaim 19, said sensor means including a speed sensor for detecting thespeed of the vehicle, and said controller being energized by said speedsensor to modify the error signal.
 22. A control system for automotivevehicles for automatically overriding manually operated control of thevehicle in response to detection of a restrictive condition, saidrestrictive condition including one of a violation of a traffic law, anadverse weather condition, and an uncontrolled movement of the vehicle,sensor means for detecting said restrictive condition, a controlleradapted to be coupled to the vehicle for controlling the accelerationperformance of the vehicle, said controller being energized by saidsensor means for automatically regulating the acceleration performanceof the vehicle according to the detected restrictive condition, saidcontroller being additionally energized according to the speed of thevehicle to modify the regulation of the acceleration performance of thevehicle.